Preschool Program.
Because we recognize the importance of these early years, we provide an environment that not only promotes intellectual and physical development, but also promotes a love of learning and respect of self, of others and of nature.
Through non-competitive activities we support the child’s natural curiosity and creativity. We utilize a variety of art and music as well as Montessori and Reggio Emelia techniques to provide the concrete experiences that are so necessary to learning during early childhood.
Curriculum
The Child’s Garden Preschool curriculum creates an effective laboratory for learning within the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. Exceeding the Maryland Pre-Kindergarten Standards, our program lays the groundwork for a Reggio-inspired Progettazione, or way of thinking and working on part of the staff, parents, and administration, through which a truly child-centered emergent experience is possible. The Reggio Emilia Approach inspires the documentation and assessment tools and classroom features within the program to Education. In addition, the curriculum/program supports the goals of the Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR). Further, The Child’s Garden Learning Center Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum uses environmental stewardship as a theme to exercise core skill development and exploration through project-based learning.
Included in our program:
Exercises for Practical Life
Cognitive Development
Creative Expression
Exercises for Large Motor Coordination
Social and Science Studies
Sample Subjects
| Learning Theme | Learning Unit Topics | Environmental Project Seed | Daily Life Project Seed | Self-Managed Project Resources | Read Aloud Book Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecosystems | Family and Community | School Garden Backyard Universe |
Family Garden | Light Box Art Studio |
The Tiny Seed, Eric Carle There, Mary Louise Fitzpatrick |
| Tools and Machines | Water Balloon Drop | Kitchen tools (make pancakes) | Art Studio Legos |
Mama Panya’s Pancakes, Mary Chamberlin, Richard Chamberlin | |
| Life Systems | Body Vest My Body Buddy |
Nature Lab, “Tree” | Nature Lab Light Box |
Are Trees Alive?, Debbie S. Miller | |
| Animal Habitats | Make a Farm | AlphaZoo | Art Studio Legos |
A House is a House for Me, Mary Ann Hoberman | |
| Relationships with Light and Color | Shapes, Colors, and Dimensions | Paper Lanterns and Origami | Light Prisms and Rainbows | Light Box Nature Lab |
A Color of His Own, Leo Lionni |
| Energy | Make a Solar Oven | Read Temperature | Art Studio | My Light, Molly Bang | |
| Relationships with Water and Air | Climate, the Weather, and the Seasons | Dinosaur Fossil Dig | Weather Report | Nature Lab | The Little Island, Margaret Wise Brown |
| Sound | Make a Flute Water Harmonica |
Five Senses | Art Studio Legos |
Night in the Country, Cynthia Rylant | |
| Movement | Make a boat Make a kite |
Playground Lab | Art Studio | The Little Engine That Could, Watty Piper | |
| Pollution | Trash sculpture | Soap Experiment | Nature Lab | Planet of Trash, George Poppel | |
| Sustainability | Productivity | Lemonade Stand | Community Service Learning | Art Studio | And Still the Turtle Watched, Sheila MacGill-Callahan |
| Diversity | Found Objects | Pirates | Art Studio | The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein | |
| Cooperation | Harvest | Helping Hand | Art Studio | Wangari’s Trees of Peace, Jeanette Winter |